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PURCHASE TICKETS FOR USF-TEMPLE
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, NOV. 10, 2015 – What USF players envisioned and what Bulls fans have been hoping for is happening right here in Tampa this week.
Willie Taggart's Bulls are in the thick of the conference title hunt late in the season after winning four of their past five games. USF can take a huge step toward accomplishing that goal if it can get past No. 21 Temple at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night.
“People are seeing it now, we've come a long way and we're rebuilding this thing,” linebacker Auggie Sanchez said. “It's something special. It's definitely an honor for me to be a part of it.”
USF (5-4, 3-2) is one victory away from becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2010 with a lot on the line Saturday night. The Bulls are in second place in The American's East Division and two games behind Temple. The Owls (8-1, 5-0) can lock up the East Division with a victory that would reserve their place in the conference championship game on Dec. 5.
“With a win, they'll get something we want. With a win, we can still be excited about what we're trying to get,” Taggart said. “It's going to be one heckuva ballgame, two teams playing for something very important.”
USF made a very important November home game possible with a gutsy 22-17 win at East Carolina last Saturday. The Bulls erased a fourth-quarter deficit on a rainy night in Greenville, N.C., and showed mental toughness finishing the job in front of a loud Pirates crowd of 45,194 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Temple climbed to No. 21 in both major college football polls after defeating SMU in Dallas last Friday and suffering their only loss to current No. 6 Notre Dame. The Owls are 5-0 on the road this season and the Bulls know having a loud USF crowd on hand Saturday night will give the team an edge it's looking for.
“There are four phases to the game – offense, defense, special teams and the fans. They can make the difference in the game,” Sanchez said. “With an offense, if it's loud, they've got to make checks and all that, and it's difficult for them. We need as many fans out there as we can get.”
Taggart seconded the sentiment and said “having that Bull swag back at Ray Jay” would give the Bulls a huge boost.
“We appreciate the ones that have been coming,” Taggart said. “I think I ask those ones that have been coming to bring a friend, bring a neighbor. Bring a dog if you can get them in there, too. Bring someone new. I think that's how you get it going.”
Kickoff for USF-Temple set for 7 p.m. and fans can reserve their seats at USFBullsTix.com.
Salute to Service Game
USF has special plans to honor current and former military members Saturday night during the Bulls' Salute to Service Game.
Among the individuals that will be recognized during the game are USF's Tillman Scholars. USF is one of only 16 universities in the nation selected by the Pat Tillman Foundation as a partnership university. Learn more about USF's Tillman Foundation Scholarship HERE.
USF football had the honor of getting a special visit from a Tillman Scholar at Tuesday's weekly press conference. Two-time Bronze Star recipient John Pasciak spoke to reporters about his experiences after doing six tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pasciak served in the same Ranger battalion that Tillman served in just months after Tillman's death.
“For me, the Tillman Foundation is little bit personal,”Pasciak said. "…For me, I grew up seeing his picture, I knew his story, I knew his legacy. (With the scholarship) I'm able to continue his goals of education and service to others through the foundation. For me, it's a responsibility as much as it's an opportunity to do something great with it.”
Pasciak, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., is now a dedicated student at the USF College of Pharmacy and plans on helping veterans, especially seniors, once he receives his doctorate degree in 2017. Before heading to USF, Pasciak and his partner placed fourth in the 2011 Best Ranger Competition, a rigorous multi-day event that featured 50 teams and 30 that finished.
Pasciak was looking at potential schools to attend once he was done serving our country was touched by how USF's Office of Veteran Services made him feel important and highly valued.
“It really makes a welcoming environment. The support Veterans Services provides in all of USF is really impressive,” Pasciak said. “It was another thing that attracted me to the school. I've gone into other offices and nobody is there or I never get a phone call back. These guys know everyone by name.”
Check out Wednesday's practice report on GoUSFBulls.com to find out more about USF's Salute to Service Game plans.
Adams Gets Through 'Tough Week' That Ended With a Dance
Rodney Adams' go-ahead, 67-yard scoring reception in the fourth quarter at East Carolina marked his fourth touchdown in five games.
The touchdown had special meaning for Adams, who endured the second anniversary of his mother's death last week.
“I got down on one knee, prayed and started blowing kisses in the air for my mom,” Adams said.
Coaches and players helped Adams get through his “tough week,” and the entire group shared a special moment in the locker room after winning at East Carolina. The Bulls busted out a victory dance session – coaches included – which made for some funny comments during Tuesday's press conference.
“That was probably the most fun part, watching (coaches) get back to their younger selves and just having a good time,” Adams said. “You wish for moments like that all the time.”
Even Taggart got involved, but Adams “wouldn't call that dancing,” and Sanchez agreed.
“I'm at the bottom of the totem pole. I'm right there next to Coach T,” Sanchez said with a smile. “I should probably bring out some new moves or something, or have somebody teach me how to dance because I'm not a dancer. Coach T might need to get some lessons with me.”
“They caught me in the moment and I didn't know what I was doing,” Taggart replied. “I was just in the moment and had to join in.”
Coach T simply had no choice.
“Even if you don't dance, you're going to have to dance. It's how it is,” Adams said.
The USF Football program is in its 19th season overall and 16th at the FBS level. The Bulls have made six bowl appearances, including every season between 2005-10, and have four bowl game victories. USF has produced 14 All-America selections, 25 NFL Draft picks and reached the No. 2 ranking in the Associated Press Poll in 2007.
